Zedechye was the first philosopher through whom, by the will of God, law was first received and wisdom understood. The said Zedechie stated that every person of good faith should possess sixteen virtues: the first is to know God and His angels; the second is to discern good from evil, to do good and avoid evil; the third is to obey kings and princes set by God on earth to govern and rule with power over the people; the fourth is to honor one’s father and mother; the fifth is to do good to everyone according to one’s capacity; the sixth is to give alms to the poor; the seventh is to protect and defend strangers and pilgrims; the eighth is to dedicate oneself entirely to the service of God; the ninth is to avoid fornication; the tenth is to have patience; the eleventh is to be truthful; the twelfth is to be just; the thirteenth is to be generous; the fourteenth is to offer sacrifices to God for the great benefits received daily; the fifteenth is to thank God and trust in His protection amidst the various fortunes that continually arise in this world; and the sixteenth is to be modest, peaceful, and well-tempered. He also said that as it is the people's duty to be subject and obedient to the king's majesty, it is equally important for a king to understand diligently the governance of his realm more than his own affairs, as the king is to his people as the soul is to the body. He mentioned that when a king strives to gather treasure through extortion or other improper means, he should know it is wrong, for such treasure can only be amassed by impoverishing his kingdom. He warned that if a good king is slow to investigate and inquire about the deeds of his nobles, people, and enemies, he will not be secure in his realm for even a day. He said the people are fortunate and happy when they have a king, governor, or sovereign with discretion, good counsel, and wisdom in sciences; but the people are unfortunate and unhappy when any of these traits are lacking in their king. He advised that when a king or governor neglects even a small appointed task, they will likely neglect greater ones, leading to the loss of everything just as a small illness can grow worse and destroy the body without timely remedy. He said if a king trusts flattering and sweet words of his enemies without observing their actions, he risks sudden harm. A king should instruct his son on governing the realm after him, showing equity to his people, loving and practicing knighthood, and avoiding excessive hunting or idleness. Instead, he should guide him to eloquence and avoiding all vanities. A prince should first know a servant’s manners and behaviors, managing his household and relations, and if he proves to be of good governance and patient in adversity, keep him confidently, otherwise not. He stated that a true friend who loves you well should be held in greater regard than father, mother, brother, or any other kin desiring your death for an inheritance. He said everything naturally seeks its likeness. He also stated that someone who won’t be corrected by gentle words should be corrected by harsher methods. He claimed the greatest wealth in this world is health, and the greatest joy is a satisfied heart. Obedience out of love is more steadfast than that which is due to authority or fear. Experiences teach well, and considering the end leads to good trust. A good name, he said, is of great price and value in this world and even eases the pain of a toothache. He stated that it’s better to remain silent than speak to someone ignorant and to be alone than in the company of evil people. He mentioned that a king of poor character is no better to someone unknown to him than he is to a master in his house. He said it is better for a woman to be childless than to have badly behaved children and that the company of a poor wise man is better than a rich ignorant man who thinks he possesses other abilities. He argued that whoever wrongs their creator is even more likely to wrong others. One should not believe someone who claims to know the truth but acts otherwise. Ignorant men given to vices will not restrain themselves from bodily desires, loving their lives only for pleasure, like children who crave forbidden sweets. Wise men, however, love their lives not merely to do well but to leave the idle pleasures and desires of this world. How can someone who seeks only temporary gains compare to those who strive continuously towards perfect good deeds? Harsh words should be corrected with strict discipline. And it is said that the greatest wealth in this world is health of the body.
And it is said that obedience done out of love is more firm than that done out of dominance or cruelty. And it is said that experiences serve as true lessons and bring foresight to the outcome of things that should end well. And it is said that a good reputation is truly admirable and beneficial in this world, as it alleviates the pain of others. And it is said that it's better to hold one's peace than to speak with an ignorant person, and better to be alone than to be in the company of bad people. And it is said: when a king has bad traits, it is better for a man not to know him than to be a great master in his household.
And it is said that it's better for a woman to be barren than to bear a child with bad traits. And it is said that the company of a poor wise man is better than that of a rich ignorant man. And it is said that wise people seek humility, goodwill, compassion, and the avoidance of sins. And it is said: he who desires wisdom must study and read diligently; and it is utter foolishness to believe one can achieve it through other means.
And it is said: he who wrongs his creator will logically wrong all others. And it is said: do not trust someone who claims to know the truth but acts contrary. And it is said that ignorant people will not restrain from their bodily desires, and they do not cherish life except for their pleasures, regardless of the consequences, much like how children crave sweets when forbidden. However, it's different for wise men, as they cherish life only through good deeds and abandoning all idle pleasures of the world. And it is said: how can one compare the works of those who strive for a good end of eternal perfection with the works of those who desire nothing but delights, where those who labor in that which is harmful are not considered wise. And he said: wise men endure things that are harsh and unpleasant as though they were sweet as honey, for they know that the end will be sweet. And it is said that it is good and profitable to do well for those who deserve it, and it is very wrong to do well for those who do not deserve it; for whoever does so loses his effort and the gift given is wasted, like rain that falls on gravel. And it is said that a person is truly fortunate and happy who spends his days and nights doing appropriate things, taking only as he should, focusing on good deeds, and leaving the bad. And it is said: one should not judge a person by his words but by his deeds, for words are often empty, but deeds reveal both harm and benefit, evil and good. And it is said: when alms are given to the poor and needy, they are beneficial like medicine properly given to the sick; and alms given to those without need are like medicine given without cause. And it is said: happy is he who distances himself from all immoralities and vices, turning his ear and gaze away from them. And it is said that the most appropriate expense a man can make in his life is what is done in service to God and in good deeds and in things necessary, such as food, drink, sleep, and healing of illnesses; and the worst expense is that spent on evil deeds.
And it is said that a person cannot be considered wise if he works on what can harm and leaves what can do good. And it is said that wise men endure things that are sharp and bitter just as if they were sweet as honey, for they know the end will be sweet as honey. And it is said that it is good and profitable to do well to those who deserve it, and it is a great evil to do well to those who do not deserve it, and whoever does this loses his effort and the gift, just like rain that falls on gravel. And it is said: blessed is he who spends his days and nights doing suitable things, taking only what he should in this world, applying himself to good works, and leaving the evil. And it is said: one should not judge another by his words but by his deeds, for words are commonly vain, but deeds reveal the injuries and the benefits. And it is said that when alms are given to poor people, the alms are beneficial like medicine suitably given to the sick; and the alms given to people who have no need are like medicine given without cause. And it is said: he is truly happy who keeps himself from all uncleanness and turns away from hearing and seeing it. And it is said that the most suitable expense a man can make in his life is what is done in the service of God and in good works; and the lesser expense is that which a man spends on necessary things that cannot be excused, such as to eat, drink, and sleep, in healing of coming sickness; and the worst expense spent is that which is done in evil works.
Hermes was born in Egypt, and in Greek, his name means Mercury, and in Hebrew, he is known as Enoch, the son of Jared, the son of Methuselah, the son of Kinam, the son of Enoch, son of Seth, son of Adam; and he was before the great flood, after which was another flood that drowned all the land of Egypt alone, and Hermes departed from Egypt and traveled for four years through various countries with seventy-two people of different languages, who preached and exhorted the people to obey God. And he built and established 108 cities, which he filled with knowledge and sciences, and he was the first to establish formal schools and made sure there was a legal system appropriate to their beliefs. The kings at the time obeyed Hermes, as did all their lands, and all the dwellers in the islands of the sea, and he compelled them to uphold the law of God, speak the truth, despise worldliness, maintain justice, and thus earn the next world. He commanded prayers and sacrifices to be made, with one day a week for fasting, to destroy the enemies of the law and faith, to give money to the poor of God's people, namely the weak and helpless, and he commanded the eating of pork flesh and camel meat and similar foods. He explicitly commanded them to keep from weakening and degrading themselves, and he ordained certain persons to offer sacrifices or prayers in God's reverence at the beginning or entering of the sun into the twelve signs, at the first sight of the moon, and in the conjunction and comparison of planets, and also when the planets entered into their houses and exaltations, in which they had their dignities, or into their aspects. They offered sacrifices of all things, that is, of flowers, roses, grains of corn and barley, fruits, grapes, and wine, and beverages. And yet Hermes said that it is not enough simply to do what was created for the goodness it does us. And he said: O man, if you truly feared God, you would never fall into the paths leading to evil. And he said: do not cry out to God as ignorant people do, full of corrupted will; do not be disobedient to God, nor transgressors of his law; nor should anyone wish to do to his fellow what he would not want done to himself, but be of one accord; let each of you love the other; practice Egypt. And the said Hermes traveled throughout all the countries for four and two years, with seventy-two people of various languages, always encouraging and urging the people to obey God. He built a hundred and eight towns, which he filled with sciences, and he was the first to discover the knowledge of stars. To the people of each region, he established laws and divided them according to their opinions. The kings of that time obeyed Hermes, as did their land and all who lived on islands. He compelled them to keep God's law, to speak the truth, and to scorn the world. He commanded prayers to be said, and for fasting to occur every month on Saturday. He destroyed the enemies of the faith and gave money to the poor people of God, particularly to the weak and helpless. He expressly commanded that people should eat the flesh of pork and goats and other similar meats, and he strongly advised them to avoid drunkenness. He established many feasts at certain times and also ordained specific sacrifices at the entrance of the sun's signs and other sacrifices at the first sight of the moon, during the conjunction of planets entering their mansions, and during their exaltations. Offerings were made of all things, including flowers, roses, grains, wheat, barley, fruits, grapes, and beverages. Hermes said it is not enough to thank God only for the goods He gives us. He said: "O man, if you knew God well, you would never fall into the paths that would lead you to evil." He said: do not make your cries to God as ignorant people full of corrupt will; do not disobey God or break the law; let no one do to his fellow what he would not want done to himself; rather, be of one accord and love one another. Abstinence, fasting, and prayers with pure intention are necessary; strive for good deeds that are humble and devoid of pride so that your actions bear good fruit. Avoid the company of thieves and those who commit fornication and engage in evil deeds. He said: ensure that you are not falsely sworn; let truth always be in your mouth; avoid swearing unless it is in affirmation or denial; and do not compel others to swear if you know they will spare the truth and lie, so that you are not partakers of their perjury. Trust in God who knows all secrets, and He will judge you fairly on the great day when He will reward the good souls and punish the wicked for their malice. He said: to fear our Lord is the greatest wisdom and the greatest delight that one should have, for from Him all good comes, and through Him the gates of understanding and knowledge are opened. God, who loves His servants, has given them discretion and has set them true prophets and ministers filled with the Holy Spirit, through whom the secrets of the law and the truth of wisdom have been revealed, so they may avoid errors and commit to doing good. He said: use wisdom and follow the law; be merciful and adorn yourself with good doctrine and teaching; think well on your affairs and do not rush into them, especially in punishing evildoers. If any of you have any tendency towards sin, do not be ashamed to withdraw and accept punishment to set a good example for others, for if it is not punished in this world, it will be on the great day of judgment where one will be tormented with great pain without mercy. He said: correct and amend yourself, follow the wise, learn good virtues from them, and let all your desires be to gain a good name; do not employ or occupy all your time in understanding malice or falsehood. Keep away from those who govern themselves by malice, using fasting and prayers with pure intention; constrain your will to do good works, humbly and without pride, so that your deeds may yield good fruits. Avoid the company of evil people like thieves and those who commit fornication. He said: beware that you are not sworn falsely and that truth is always found in your mouth; avoid swearing unless affirming or denying; and do not encourage others to swear if you know they are accustomed to lying, lest you become partakers of their perjury. Trust in God, who knows all secrets, and He will judge you rightly on the great day of judgment, rewarding the good and punishing the evil for their deeds. He said: to fear our Lord is the greatest wisdom, and the greatest delight one should have is in Him, from whom all good comes, by which the gates of understanding and wisdom are opened. God, who loves His servants, has given them discretion and prophets filled with the Holy Spirit, who have revealed to them the secrets of the law and truth of wisdom, so they may avoid evil deeds and commit to good deeds. He said: use wisdom and follow the law; be merciful and adorn yourself with good teachings; think well on your affairs and do not rush into them, especially in punishing evildoers. If any of you have any tendency towards sin, do not be ashamed to withdraw and accept punishment for setting a good example for others. If it is not punished in this world, it will be on the great day of judgment, where one will be tormented with greater pain and without mercy. He said: correct yourself, follow the wise, learn good virtues from them, and let your desire be to gain a good reputation. Do not occupy your understanding in malice and subtlety. Keep away from those who govern without truth and only listen without acting. He said: do not make snares to harm others by subtle means, for such actions will eventually be discovered. He said: unite the love of faith with wisdom and be constrained to it; if you do so, all your time will be to your great gain, and this noble virtue will bring you greater profit than gathering gold, silver, or any other perishable treasure, for it will be your treasure in the other world that lasts without end. He said: be of one intent both inside and out in what you speak, and let your words not vary from the thought of your heart. Be meek and obey your kings and princes, honor your greatest ministers, love God and truth, and give true counsel so that you may more securely be on the path of salvation with your good penance. Praise and thank God in times of disease and tribulation and in times of prosperity and poverty. He said: you shall not eat but of your deeds, beware that you do not judge unjustly, and desire more to have poverty in doing good deeds than to have riches with sin and wickedness, for riches vanish, but good deeds remain. Abstain from too much laughter and mocking others. If you perceive a fault in another, do not mock them dishonestly, but remember that God made you all of one substance and matter, and you may come to the same. Thank God that He has preserved and kept you from mischief in the past and present, and pray that in His mercy, He will keep you in the future. When the enemies of the faith dispute with you using harsh words, answer softly and humbly, and pray to God to guide His creatures to good belief and everlasting salvation. Be secretive in your counsel and hold your tongue before your enemies, as he who seeks the rod with which he is beaten. You cannot be just and righteous without the fear of God, through which you receive the gift of the Holy Spirit, who will open the gates of Paradise for your souls to enter and join the souls that have earned everlasting life. Avoid the company of the wicked, enemies, drunkards, and ignorant people; when you think to do a good deed, do it immediately without delay or being hindered by any adverse will; and do not envy if you see good come to a wicked person, for it will not last and his end will be evil. Have children instructed and learned in their youth before they know or have any sense of malice so that you do not sin against them. Worship God, and pray with a clean soul, letting all your intentions and desires be set on Him, and He shall lift and promote you wherever you are and deliver you from all sin, placing and bowing your enemies under your feet. When you wish to abstain and fast, first cleanse your soul from all wickedness and impurity; let the fast come from a clean heart, with all evil thoughts cast out, for God regards them as foul and evil. Just as you abstain from food, you should abstain from sin, for He does not consider only abstinence from food if other deeds and wills tend toward evil. In your youth, visit the churches and houses of our Lord; be in prayer without great boast, but let it be with all sweetness, melody, and humility. When you are joyful and glad in your house and celebrate with familiar people, remember the poor people of our Lord and share your goods with them. Comfort those in anguish, trouble, and sadness; console prisoners; heal the sick; clothe the naked; feed the hungry; give drink to the thirsty; shelter and lodge pilgrims and strangers; make amends to those whom And hold your tongues tied before your enemies, as he that seeks the rod to be beaten. And says: you may not be just without fearing God, by which you receive the Holy Ghost that shall open the gates of Paradise, through which your souls shall joyfully enter with others that have deserved everlasting life. And says: avoid the company of evil people, from enemies, from drunk men, and ignorant people; and when you think of any good deed, do it immediately lest it be hindered or rescinded by any will of the contrary. And says: do not envy if you see any good thing come to him that has an evil heart, for he shall not be stable and his end shall be evil. And says: make children be taught in their childhood before they know any great evil, and so you shall not sin against them. And says: honor and pray to God with goodwill, and direct all your desires to God, and then He shall raise them and help you wherever you may be, and shall deliver you from all perils, and shall humble all your enemies under your good prayers. And says: when you fast, cleanse your souls of all filth; and let your fasting come with a pure heart, with evil thoughts put out of it, for God takes them for foul and evil; and just as you abstain from meats, in like manner should you abstain from sins, for it suffices not to God that a man does abstain from meats and applies himself to do evil deeds. And says: in your fasting, visit the house of our Lord and be in your prayer without great pomp but in sweetness and lowliness; and when you shall be glad in your houses and make your feasts to your well-wishers, have remembrance of God's people and share with them of your goods. And says: comfort the people that are in anguish and in heaviness, and comfort prisoners, and heal the sick, clothe the naked, feed those that are hungry, give drink to those that are thirsty, harbor the pilgrims, make satisfaction to your creditors, and suffer your wrongs patiently. And he says: do not discomfort those that are in heaviness, but help them with soft and mild words and pleasantness; and if they be such as have done you harm, forgive it to them benignly with a meek spirit and let the pain that they suffer suffice to you. And he says: strive to get friends, but first prove them before you trust too greatly, to the intent that you take no harm and that you do not repent. And he says: those that God raises, enhances, and sets forward in this world should set that exaltation for naught; and he should not consider himself greater than one of his fellows for all that, for God has made both rich and poor all of one making to which regard all be equal. And he says: take heed that in your anger or malice no foul word comes out of your mouth, for that is dishonorable and a foul thing and that which engenders and causes pain. And he says: it does not belong to him that wants knowledge to seek it by covetousness or for money, but by delight, because it is the most precious thing of all other. And he says: warm wisdom is a gift of fortune, and a true sentence and judgment of all discipline, and death to all evil. And he says: he is a good king and noble that in his realm leaves the evil law for the good. And he says: liberality is to be liberal in time of necessity and in time of poverty, and patience is to forgive when a man has the power to judge others and to avenge himself. And he says: whoever worships wise men, loves justice, and does good deeds and forces them to knowledge and good conditions, and he finds that which pleases him both in this world and in the other. And he says that he is a wretch, both in this world and the other, who has neither wit, wisdom, nor doctrine. And he says: whoever will not teach such good conditions and such knowledge as he can, he shall be a partaker in the ignorance of the wicked; and whoever refuses to learn from those they should learn from, he ought to be deprived of his benefice, for in this world he should refuse none but the ignorant man, who is commonly envious and of evil will. And he says that
wrongs patiently. And says: do not discomfort them that are in affliction but help them with sweet and pleasant words; and if it be such that have done you harm, forgive it to them lowly and let it suffice you the pain that they suffer.
And says: strive to get yourself friends, and first prove them before that you put too much trust in them lest you shall have harm and repent you. And says: he whom God elevates or lifts up in this world should take that rising for naught, and not consider himself therefore more exalted than one of his fellows, for God has made the poor and the rich all of one creation, to the regard of which all are equal. And says: beware that in your hate no lewd word goes out of your mouth, for it is a thing that is dishonorable and shall engender pain. And says: he who refrains his anger and sets a bridle on his tongue and speaks temperately and keeps his tongue clean, he surmounts all others. And says that it is not convenient for him that would have knowledge that he should seek it by merit nor for money, but only by delight, for it is more precious than all other things. And says: true wisdom is a gift of fortune, true judgment of discipline, and slaying of all evils. And says that a king is noble and good that, in his realm, leaves the evil law for the good. And says: to be liberal in time of poverty and necessity is commendable, patient to forgive when a man may avenge his wrongs. And says: he who honors wise men and loves truth and does good deeds and forces himself to learn knowledge and good manners, shall find what may please him in this world and in the other. And says: he is unhappy in this world and in the other that has neither wisdom nor doctrine. And says: he who will not teach what he knows in knowledge and manners, he shall be a partner in ignorance with the evil people; and he who denies teaching knowledge to him that it is suitable for, he ought to be deprived of his benefits in this world; and of saying no to him is worse than the ignorant person who is of evil will. And says that liberality is better in knowledge than in riches, for the good name and fame of a wise man abides when riches are lost. And he says: man should not offend nor hate him that has offended him, but he should do good to him against evil, for the deeds of a wise man are known by three things, that is to say by his enemy, by his friend, and by him that is unknown; knowing the good from the evil. And he says: he is held and taken for good when others benefit from his goodness, and whoever covets as much the goodness of others as his own. And he says that great science and knowledge may little avail in a covetous man, but little knowledge profits much to them that draw their courage from covetousness. And he says that death is like the stroke of one arrow, and life is like the arrow that moves to come. And he says: it is a greater pity to have mercy on fools and simple men than on wise men. And he says: whoever is not satisfied and does not hold himself content with such as he has, deserves not to have more. And he says: a reporter or a contriver of words is false, either he dissimulates and lies to him to whom he reports them, or else he is false to him of whom he says them. And he says: scorn and mockery destroy love like as fire burns wood. And he says: one envious man is a friend to him that he sees in his presence and enemy in his absence, for he is a friend in name and an enemy in deed. And he says: one envious man is not but to despise another. And he says: he is fully sure [that is without fault or blame, and he is not sure] that knows and feels himself in blame. And he says: beware that you do not obey covetousness, for it will not obey you. And he says: he that gives counsel to one other begins to profit himself. And some men demanded and asked him what that was that trembled and annoyed most and that hindered a man; he answered that it was ire, wrath, and envy. Then they demanded and asked him why wise men held themselves and waited more at the gates of rich men than rich men at the gates of wise men; he answered: wise men know well the profit of rich men, and rich men know not the profit of knowledge. And worth in knowledge than in riches, for the renown of the wise abides and the riches lose. And says: man should not offend nor hate him that has done him any offense, but should do him good for evil, for the works of the wise man are known in three manners, that is to say: to make of his enemy his friend, and he that knows not to make him know, and of the evil to make him good. And says: he may be taken for good when other men receive of his goodness, and he that loves as much the welfare of others as of himself. And says that great knowledge may little avail in a covetous man, but small knowledge profits in him that withdraws his courage from covetousness. And says that death is like the stroke of an arrow, and life is like as the arrow is set to come. And says that pity is more great to have mercy upon fools than upon wise men. And says: he that holds himself not sufficed with what he has, deserves not to have more. And says that a reporter or a contriver of tales, either he means evil to him that he tells the tale to, or else he is false to him of whom he reports. And says that derision and mockery put away fear, like as the fire burns and destroys the wood. And says that the envious man is friend to a man in his presence and enemy in his absence, and is a friend in word and enemy in deed. And says that an envious man is not good but for the despising of other men. And says: he is right sure that is without blame, and he is fully evil ensured that is in great blame. And says: beware how you obey covetousness, for covetousness will not obey you. And says: he that asks counsel of others begins to profit himself. And some asked him a question, what it was that most troubled and hurt a man; he answered and said: envy and wrath. And then was asked him a question, why the wise men held themselves more at the gates of rich men than the rich men held them at the gates of the wise men; and he answered and said that the wise men saw the profit of knowledge. And says: he that he says: he that has wit and discretion and shows it not in deed fares as a tree that is without fruit, and he says: he is wise that knows ignorance and good from evil, and whoever knows it not is ignorant; and whoever knows not that can hardly know anything else. And he says: men are of two kinds conditioned; the one inquires and seeks and may not find, the other finds and it profits them not. And he says: wisdom fares as a thing that is found in the profundity and bottom of the sea, which a man cannot have but by them that can descend and seek it at the bottom of the water. And he says: he cannot be of deep and profound wisdom and wit that has not in him chastity, and he has no perfect knowledge that has no perfect wit. And he says: discipline and learning is arranging and advancing of wit, with which discretion should be arrayed as much as a man might. And he says: it is no honesty to chastise a man before another if the other perceives it. And he says: when a man excuses himself often of his defaults, he makes his error to be remembered. And he says: an ignorant and an unknowing man is little although he be old, and a wise man is great although he be young. And he says: the world despises daily him that he was wont to worship, and the earth eats him that he was wont to give food. And he says: men know a fool by his word and a wise man by his deeds. And he says: few people have envy to a dead man but much people lie of him. And he says: be merry and glad, and that is enough to anger envious men. And a man demanded and asked him why he was not married; to whom he answered: him that the sea may drown, how should he bear another on his neck, swimming? And he says: keep yourself from the fellowship of a jangle, which is like a thing that from afar shines and near it is naught. And he says: he that sets himself to do evil against another for you, the same he will do to another against you. And he says: whoever praises you for any virtues which are not in you, he may well do you wrong of a vice that he sees in you. And he says: ire and anger troubles reason so much that
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